Mr. Coy and the Train Depot

Today was haircut day! I packed a lunch with fruit and pimento cheese sandwiches(a Diet Coke for Mr. Coy), picked the boys up from preschool a few minutes early, and we drove to the Depot. We have been going to Mr. Coy's train depot to get our haircuts since John Owen's first haircut at the age of 1. (And I have to make mention that Mr. Coy gave Mommy her first haircut, too. He just didn't have a COOL train depot back then!) My boys love it! What little boy wouldn't want to get his hair cut at a place where real trains come by and the whole place shakes as they pass? And where you can step onto a real caboose! It makes me happy to see them so happy with excitement. So, as you can imagine, it's not just a haircut you are getting, it's an experience! Here's a picture of the Depot and my boys on the caboose! (By the way, John Owen is wearing his new Batman costume he will be wearing for Halloween. There are just some battles we choose not to fight! :-) I did ask him to take the mask off for one picture, though!)

I Will Remember

I know just about everyone has heard someone recount their memories of when they experienced a life changing moment or when something devestating happened. Many times people can remember the precise time and where they were when those moments occurred. I will always remember being on the brink of my career as a teacher, standing before a classroom full of eager, ready-to-learn 5th graders, especially Mariah sitting directly in front of me with her book open to the right page! What a good girl! :-)

Little did I know that Sept. 11, 2001 would require me to teach much more than what was contained in that Science book. My Science lesson was interrupted by a fellow teacher who "felt I should see this." I had no idea what I was about to see. And as I watched the sight of the Twin Towers burning on a small TV with poor reception, my "innocence to the evils of this world" would not allow me to process this as being something real. It was like I was watching a movie with thousands of dollars being spent on the special effects being played out before my eyes. But the reality was that thousands of lives were being lost as a result of what was happening that day. I tried my best to walk back into that classroom and resume teaching my lesson, but inquiring minds wanted to know why I had tears in my eyes, so I let them see the emotion that was overwhelming me as I thought about someone's mom, dad, brother, or sister was dying because some people decided to do something very bad. I wasn't sure what to tell them. So, I seized the opportunity to share with my public school children that we needed to pray for our country and for the people who did this and for the people who were caught in the middle of this. And we prayed.

I don't know where each of those students I taught that year is today. Hopefully, they are sitting in their classes listening to their teachers as they were 7 years ago in my class. (Probably thinking about how much fun their Senior year of high school will be instead of the lesson being taught!) I will pray that I will always remember, and that they will know, that God is in control even when bad things happen to us. I hope we will remember to pray for the leaders of this country, whomever they may be, and for the future of this country, and for the people who choose evil. My hope is that on this day we won't only remember our whereabouts, what we were wearing, or what time it was, but that we will remember to look to God everyday and in everything-good or bad.

nicole

Happy Birthday to Me!

OKAY...so I am officially "diving" into my 30's with turning 31 yesterday! I don't feel any older than I did at 21, or maybe I have just forgotten how I felt 10 years ago. :-) It is funny to me how as life goes on, birthdays take on a different meaning. For instance, if I reverse the age I am now and think back to a young 13-year-old Nicole, I would find myself anxiously awaiting my 13th birthday and the presents I would receive. Maybe there was a desire for new clothes and shoes...style is so important to a new teenager, right? Or better yet, just some money so that I could spend it on myself however I choose to. It's funny how when I look back on it, I am amazed at how selfish my immaturity allowed me to be. Why must we be older before we realize what's really important? Sure, getting gifts is wonderful and special, but now I find myself happy with just having a good meal with my family, maybe a cake or some kind of sweet, and of course, my dad's version of the "Happy Birthday" song is always a treat. Honestly, I feel like it's my birthday practically everyday when I open the doors to my children's bedrooms and see the gifts they are. Gifts that God has given to me. Another Sept. 4th has come and gone just as it has for 31 years now. And that 13-year-old girl and her view of the world has since gone, too. Lord, thank you for the gifts you give to me everyday. May I always be reminded that the greatest gift I could ever receive is your love. nicole

Open Wide and Say AHHH!

I did not get to go with John Owen to his first dentist visit. :-( Although, I am happy to say that his Daddy took him and they enjoyed some quality time with each other. I might add that he was SOOO good for Dr. Conley. I am happy that this time I was present for my Jonah's first time in the dentist chair. And like his big brother, he was PERFECT for the dental hygentist, Ms. Diane, and for Dr. Conley! I was sooo proud of him, too!! Dr. Conley said his teeth looked good, so we won't go back until March. Here are some shots from the dental visit!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Many years ago, my grandmother gave me a musical box that plays one of the songs from "The Sound of Music." If you have seen the musical and know it well like I do, then you remember the song, "A Few of My Favorite Things." I love that song! That musical box she gave me now has a special place on a shelf in my house where I can see it everyday. It reminds me of the times she took me to musicals at the Orpheum as a child. (I was a complete "Orphan Annie" fanatic!) I share this with you because one of my favorite things in my life is my grandmother. Her life has been a testimony to all who know her. She is a wonderful Christian who devoted her life to raising 5 children in a Christian home. And she is wonderful with children I might add! I have watched my own boys almost mesmerized by her when she talks and reads to them. I wasn't lucky enough to grow up in the same town as my grandmother, so when we went to visit her, I was always happy to go. One fond memory I will share with you is that when she would sometimes call the house and I would speak with her on the phone, she would sing the chorus from "I Just" by Stevie Wonder to me. If you don't know the song, scroll down to my playlist and click on it. I added it to this page because it floods my mind with childhood memories everytime I hear it played, and I especially think of "Jenny" everytime I hear it. Is it any wonder why I named my daughter after her? Here's a recent picture of Jenny, my mom, me, and Mary Claire. 4 generations! This picture is now one of my favorite things! :-)

"I Caught Him!"

These were Jonah's very words as he told everybody standing on the dock that he had caught a fish! (Of course, his daddy helped him reel that big fish in.) I was amazed at how such a large bass was caught and held by such a small, plastic "Lightning McQueen" fishing rod. (as seen in the background of this picture) :-) I laughed at the "big words" he spoke last week of catchin' a big 'ole catfish. Mommy Lesson learned: Don't assume there will be limitations to what your children can or will be able to do. Jonah said he was gonna catch a big 'ole catfish...close enough, he caught a big 'ole bass! Yes, Jonah, you caught him!!

First Night Out

Well, this past Saturday night we ventured out and left all 3 children with my mom while we joined some friends for dinner at a local restaurant. It was the first time we left Mary Claire to be bathed and put to bed by someone else. It felt good to be able to spend a little time with my husband without being distracted by the normal nightly routine of getting 3 little people cleaned up and put in bed. There is life after 3 so it seems! :-)